From the Armed Forces
• Army Pvt. Sean Thomas Conroe of Sugar Grove has graduated from Basic Combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. He is the son of Karen Barnes and a 2006 graduate of Aurora Central Catholic High School.
During the nine weeks of training, he studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.
• Air Force Airman Michael S. Warren of St. Charles has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Robert and stepson of Marce Warren of St. Charles, and is a 2007 graduate of St. Charles East High School.
During the six weeks of training, he studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
• Michael I. Langlais has graduated from the Army ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. The ROTC cadet has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. He is the son of Roland A. and J. H. Langlais of St. Charles and a 2004 graduate of the Marmion Military Academy, Aurora.
The 33 days of training provide professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support. Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard, or Reserve.
• William M. Longwell has graduated from the Army ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. He is the son of Robert M. Longwell of Lorraine Terrace, Hagerstown, Md., and Mary Kay Longwell of Batavia. He is a 2004 graduate of Marmion Academy, Aurora.
• Brandon M. Weiss has graduated from the Army ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. He has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army.
He is the son of Charles H. and Kerri S. Weiss of St. Charles and graduated from a home school program in 2001, and received a bachelor's degree in 2007 from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.
• Cadet Richard Michael Niedbala, III has earned the Superintendent's Award for Achievement at the U.S. Military Academy presented to the top 20 percent of cadets who excel in the academic, military and physical programs. The insignia is a gold wreath. He is the son of Richard and Barbara Niedbala of Geneva and graduated from Geneva High School in 2006. He plans to graduate from West Point in 2010 and be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
The mission of the U.S. Military Academy is to educate, train and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of duty, honor, country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army.
• Brendan J. Lanphear has entered Basic Cadet Training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., in preparation to enter the first academic year at the academy. He is the son of Bruce and Terri Lanphear of Elburn and is a 2007 graduate of St. Charles North High School.
The six-week, two-phased orientation program must be successfully completed by the cadets prior to entering their freshman year. The training prepares men and women to meet the rigorous mental and physical challenges experienced by new cadets.
• Shannon J. Bajak has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader's Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky. The cadet is a student at the University of St. Francis, Joliet. She is the daughter of Teri Jordan of Batavia and a graduate of Plainfield High School.
The four-week course is a leadership internship for cadets that can lead to the ultimate goal of becoming an Army officer. College students experience and examine the Army without incurring an obligation to serve in the Army or ROTC, and are eligible to receive two-year college scholarship offers and attend the Advanced ROTC Course at their college.
• Army Pvt. Derek M. Kobos has graduated from Basic Combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. He is the son of Marybeth Kobos of Geneva, and grandson of Noreen Kobos of Sugar Grove.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.
• Navy Seaman Warren X. Komis, son of Rose M. Komis of Elgin, and Mark J. Komis of Batavia, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Komis is a 1998 graduate of Batavia High School.
During the eight-week program, Komis completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.